Senate Steps- Down Nnanna Uzor Kalu’s Confirmation As N’assembly Service Commission Member, Due To Petition.

The senate has approved the appointment 11 members of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) alongside the Chairman.

However, the Senate didn’t  confirm  Nnanna Uzor Kalu, the second nominee from the south-east.

President Bola Tinubu had appointed members of the commission on February 20.

Kalu, a former member of the house of representatives, is the younger brother of Orji Kalu, senator representing Abia north.

Cyrul Fasuyi, chairman of the senate committee on establishment and public service, presented the report during plenary on Wednesday.

He said the chairman of the commission is Saviour Enyiekere, representing the south-south. Other members are Suleiman Hunkuyi, north-west, and Yusuf Yusuf, north-west.

Others are Aminu Malle; north-east; Alhaji Mahmud; north-east, Mark Terso; north-central, Salihu Balogun; north-central, Taiwo Oluga; south-west, Afeez Ipesa-Balogun; south-west.

Festus Odii; south-east, Patrick Giwa; south-south, Mary Ekpeyong; south-south, make up the list.

According to Fasuyi, the committee, based on its findings, was satisfied with the nominees’ credentials, performance, experience, and reputation.

However, he informed the senate that a petition had been filed against one of the nominees from the south-east.

“Mr. President, there is a point that I would like you to note. The committee recommends that the senate confirm the nominations of 12 out of the 13 members of the commission as chairman and members of NASC except the nominee from the south-east zone,” he said.

“The member from the south-east zone should be stepped down pending the outcome of the committee on ethics, code of conduct and public petitions.”

Responding to Fasuyi’s remarks, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, senate deputy chief whip, clarified that he was not aware of any petition against the nominee.

“I want to place on record that the two persons from south-east were duly nominated, were qualified for the job. There is no petition against them. It is not to my knowledge as a principal officer from south-east,” he said.

“So, I appeal with the committee chairman to retract that statement and present all the appointees to be cleared for confirmation.”

Osita Izunazo, senator representing Imo west, countered Nwaebonyi’s claim, informing the senate that a pending petition had been filed against Kalu.

“I have looked at the committee’s report. The best thing is for us to adopt the report. A petition was laid yesterday, referred to the committee on ethics and public petitions, and you gave them one week to report back to you Mr president,” he said.

“And if you look at the order paper today, you will see that the committee is meeting tomorrow, and by the time they meet tomorrow, they will come back to present their report, so I believe it is right, it is proper, it is just for us to accept the committee’s recommendation. So, we don’t go forth and back.”

After the debate, the senate resolved into the committee of the whole to deliberate on the report.

It was subsequently agreed that Kalu’s nomination be deferred until the ethics committee submits its report.

Senate President Goodwill Akpabio then put the motion to a voice vote. Thereafter, the remaining nominees were confirmed.